The novel is a tale of heartbreak, betrayal, selfishness, greed, and vengance. Edmond Dantés is young, a succesful and talented sailor, and madly in love, when he suddenly is framed to be a Bonapartist, supporter of Napoleon, in the degraded and uneasy France, and is disposed of to an isolated prison. Dantes doesn't know what he did to deserve the punishment, but endures the unjustice in hopes of an escape and retribution. With the help of a fellow prisoner, another "political prisoner", he plans the perfect escape. And revenge. But can the perfect revenge be sweet?

The author, Alexandre Dumas (sr.) (1802-1870) is best known for his novels "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo". He was born in Villes-Cotterêts, France, to a noble family. The family, however, lived in poverty ever since Dumas' father had died in 1806, and in 1823 Dumas travelled to Paris to find work. Due to his handwriting he got a position with the Duc d'Orleans, later with King Louis Philippe. In 1824, an illegitimate son, Alexandre Dumas "fils" (means "boy" in French), was born.

Dumas started his career as a playwriter, and had produced 15 plays by 1843, such as "Henri III et sa cour" and "La tour de Nesle" amongst others. He wrote about 250 books with the help of his 70+ assistants, and earned a fortune. A fortune he was faster to spend than to gain, though. He also wrote some articles by request for newspapers. He produced The Three Musketeers (1844) and The Count of Monte Cristo (1844-45) in mere 2 years.

Alexandre Dumas "père" lived a lively life, he spent an enourmous amount of money on art, and mistresses, which later ended up in enourmous debts. He married in 1840, but soon seperated after having used up his wifes dowry. It is told he had a dozen illegitimate children, but he only acknowledged three. He died December 5th, 1870, of a stroke, and his last words are said to have been "I shall never know how it all comes out now," refereing to an unfinished book. His son, Alexandre Dumas fils, became a writer and moralist, who never accepted his father's lifestyle.

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